Odisha: Senior BJD leader Damodar Rout expelled from party

BHUBANESWAR: Veteran leader and former minister Damodar Rout, who was under fire for making allegations of financial irregularities in some state government departments, was expelled from the BJD on Wednesday.

BJD secretary Bijay Nayak, in a press release, stated that the decision was taken following the order of BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

The Paradip MLA could not be contacted for a comment on his removal from the ruling party.

Damodar had recently created a stir by alleging financial misappropriation of Rs 30 crore in OMFED and Rs 700 crore scam in Odisha State Cooperative Bank. He also alleged fraud of Rs 100 crore in sapling plantation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

He also repeatedly raised his voice against some influential bureaucrats and some of the young leaders of the party, who reportedly call shots on crucial decisions.

BJD leaders-- Prashant Muduli and Bishnu Das-- along with BJD workers from Jagatsinghpur district met Naveen demanding action against Damodar. The BJD president on Tuesday informed that he will examine the complaints against the veteran leader.

The 75-year-old leader also clarified that he has not uttered a single word against the chief minister, state government or against the BJD.

“I have high impression on our chief minister. He has a lot of exposure as he toured many countries. He is a good writer and painter. I have raised my voice against corruption,” Damodar said.

The BJD veteran also said some subordinate people working under the chief minister are indulged in financial irregularities and they are guilty.

Damodar said it was the duty of the opposition parties to expose the wrong doings in the government. “They (opposition parties) had not been able to do so,” he added.

The seven-time MLA was sacked from the state council of ministers and as BJD vice president in December, last year for his remarks against the Brahmin community at a function in Malkangiri on December 18.

Damodar become the second top leader after Baijayant Panda, who was sidelined by the BJD boss in recent months. The former Kendrapada MP was suspended from the ruling party in January for his continuous tirade against bureaucratic highhandedness in BJD and corruption in state administration.

Considering former chief minister Biju Patnaik as his inspiration to join politics in 70s, Damodar had elected to the state assembly for the first time in 1977 on a Janata Dal ticket from Ersama. Later, he joined BJD.

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